2,144 research outputs found
Chaotic scattering with direct processes: A generalization of Poisson's kernel for non-unitary scattering matrices
The problem of chaotic scattering in presence of direct processes or prompt
responses is mapped via a transformation to the case of scattering in absence
of such processes for non-unitary scattering matrices, \tilde S. In the absence
of prompt responses, \tilde S is uniformly distributed according to its
invariant measure in the space of \tilde S matrices with zero average, < \tilde
S > =0. In the presence of direct processes, the distribution of \tilde S is
non-uniform and it is characterized by the average (\neq 0). In
contrast to the case of unitary matrices S, where the invariant measures of S
for chaotic scattering with and without direct processes are related through
the well known Poisson kernel, here we show that for non-unitary scattering
matrices the invariant measures are related by the Poisson kernel squared. Our
results are relevant to situations where flux conservation is not satisfied.
For example, transport experiments in chaotic systems, where gains or losses
are present, like microwave chaotic cavities or graphs, and acoustic or elastic
resonators.Comment: Added two appendices and references. Corrected typo
Quantum Hall Resistance Overshoot in 2-Dimensional Electron Gases - Theory and Experiment
We present a systematical experimental investigation of an unusual transport
phenomenon observed in two dimensional electron gases in Si/SiGe
heterostructures under integer quantum Hall effect (IQHE) conditions. This
phenomenon emerges under specific experimental conditions and in different
material systems. It is commonly referred to as Hall resistance overshoot,
however, lacks a consistent explanation so far. Based on our experimental
findings we are able to develop a model that accounts for all of our
observations in the framework of a screening theory for the IQHE. Within this
model the origin of the overshoot is attributed to a transport regime where
current is confined to co-existing evanescent incompressible strips of
different filling factors.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figure
Perspectives of underweight people with eating disorders on receiving Imagery Rescripting trauma treatment: a qualitative study of their experiences
Beyond brain size: Uncovering the neural correlates of behavioral and cognitive specialization
© Comparative Cognition Society. Despite prolonged interest in comparing brain size and behavioral proxies of "intelligence" across taxa, the adaptive and cognitive significance of brain size variation remains elusive. Central to this problem is the continued focus on hominid cognition as a benchmark and the assumption that behavioral complexity has a simple relationship with brain size. Although comparative studies of brain size have been criticized for not reflecting how evolution actually operates, and for producing spurious, inconsistent results, the causes of these limitations have received little discussion. We show how these issues arise from implicit assumptions about what brain size measures and how it correlates with behavioral and cognitive traits. We explore how inconsistencies can arise through heterogeneity in evolutionary trajectories and selection pressures on neuroanatomy or neurophysiology across taxa. We examine how interference from ecological and life history variables complicates interpretations of brain-behavior correlations and point out how this problem is exacerbated by the limitations of brain and cognitive measures. These considerations, and the diversity of brain morphologies and behavioral capacities, suggest that comparative brain-behavior research can make greater progress by focusing on specific neuroanatomical and behavioral traits within relevant ecological and evolutionary contexts. We suggest that a synergistic combination of the "bottom-up" approach of classical neuroethology and the "top-down" approach of comparative biology/psychology within closely related but behaviorally diverse clades can limit the effects of heterogeneity, interference, and noise. We argue that this shift away from broad-scale analyses of superficial phenotypes will provide deeper, more robust insights into brain evolution
Ingredients for understanding brain and behavioral evolution: Ecology, phylogeny, and mechanism
This is the final version of the article. Available from The Comparative Cognition Society via the DOI in this record.Uncovering the neural correlates and evolutionary drivers of behavioral and cognitive traits has been held back by traditional perspectives on which correlations to look for-in particular, anthropocentric conceptions of cognition and coarse-grained brain measurements. We welcome our colleagues' comments on our overview of the field and their suggestions for how to move forward. Here, we counter, clarify, and extend some points, focusing on the merits of looking for the "best" predictor of cognitive ability, the sources and meaning of "noise," and the ways in which we can deduce and test meaningful conclusions from comparative analyses of complex traits
Rapid dissemination of Francisella tularensis and the effect of route of infection
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Francisella tularensis </it>subsp. <it>tularensis </it>is classified as a Category A bioweapon that is capable of establishing a lethal infection in humans upon inhalation of very few organisms. However, the virulence mechanisms of this organism are not well characterized. <it>Francisella tularensis </it>subsp. <it>novicida</it>, which is an equally virulent subspecies in mice, was used in concert with a microPET scanner to better understand its temporal dissemination in vivo upon intranasal infection and how such dissemination compares with other routes of infection. Adult mice were inoculated intranasally with <it>F. tularensis </it>subsp. <it>novicida </it>radiolabeled with <sup>64</sup>Cu and imaged by microPET at 0.25, 2 and 20 hours post-infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><sup>64</sup>Cu labeled <it>F. tularensis </it>subsp. <it>novicida </it>administered intranasally or intratracheally were visualized in the respiratory tract and stomach at 0.25 hours post infection. By 20 hours, there was significant tropism to the lung compared with other tissues. In contrast, the images of radiolabeled <it>F. tularensis </it>subsp. <it>novicida </it>when administered intragastrically, intradermally, intraperitoneally and intravenouslly were more generally limited to the gastrointestinal system, site of inoculation, liver and spleen respectively. MicroPET images correlated with the biodistribution of isotope and bacterial burdens in analyzed tissues.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings suggest that Francisella has a differential tissue tropism depending on the route of entry and that the virulence of Francisella by the pulmonary route is associated with a rapid bacteremia and an early preferential tropism to the lung. In addition, the use of the microPET device allowed us to identify the cecum as a novel site of colonization of <it>Francisella tularensis </it>subsp. <it>novicida </it>in mice.</p
Attenuated Response of Aged Mice to Respiratory Francisella novicida Is Characterized by Reduced Cell Death and Absence of Subsequent Hypercytokinemia
Pneumonia and pulmonary infections are major causes of mortality among the growing elderly population. Age associated attenuations of various immune parameters, involved with both innate and adaptive responses are collectively known as immune senescence. These changes are likely to be involved with differences in host susceptibility to disease between young and aged individuals.The objective of this study was to assess potential age related differences in the pulmonary host response in mice to the Gram-negative respiratory pathogen, Francisella novicida. We intranasally infected mice with F. novicida and compared various immune and pathological parameters of the pulmonary host response in both young and aged mice.We observed that 20% of aged mice were able to survive an intranasal challenge with F. novicida while all of their younger cohorts died consistently within 4 to 6 days post infection. Further experiments revealed that all of the aged mice tested were initially able to control bacterial replication in the lungs as well as at distal sites of replication compared with young mice. In addition, the small cohort of aged survivors did not progress to a severe sepsis syndrome with hypercytokinemia, as did all of the young adult mice. Finally, a lack of widespread cell death in potential aged survivors coupled with a difference in cell types recruited to sites of infection within the lung confirmed an altered host response to Francisella in aged mice
Giant negative magnetoresistance in semiconductors doped by multiply charged deep impurities
A giant negative magnetoresistance has been observed in bulk germanium doped
with multiply charged deep impurities. Applying a magnetic field the resistance
may decrease exponentially at any orientation of the field. A drop of the
resistance as much as about 10000% has been measured at 6 T. The effect is
attributed to the spin splitting of impurity ground state with a very large
g-factor in the order of several tens depending on impurity.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Hybrid CdZnO/GaN quantum-well light emitting diodes
We report on the demonstration of light emission from hybrid CdZnO quantum-well light emitting diodes. A one-dimensional drift-diffusion method was used to model the expected band structure and carrier injection in the device, demonstrating the potential for 90% internal quantum efficiency when a CdZnO quantum well is used. Fabricated devices produced visible electroluminescence that was found to redshift from 3.32 to 3.15 eV as the forward current was increased from 20 to 40 mA. A further increase in the forward current to 50 mA resulted in a saturation of the redshift
K^-/K^+ ratio at GSI in hot and dense matter
The ratio in heavy-ion collisions at GSI energies is studied
including the properties of the participating hadrons in hot and dense matter.
The determination of the temperature and chemical potential at freeze-out
conditions compatible with the ratio is very delicate, and depends on
the approach adopted for the antikaon self-energy. Three approaches for the
self-energy are considered: non-interacting , on-shell self-energy
and single-particle spectral density. With respect to the on-shell approach,
the use of an energy dependent spectral density, including both s-
and p-wave components of the interaction, lowers considerably the
freeze-out temperature and gives rise to the "broad-band equilibration"
advocated by Brown, Rho and Song.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, talk given at the Strange Quark Matter
Conference, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, March 12-17, 200
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